Hi Magnus

Yeh, that's what happens when you Google the word, but the the word "philabeg" dates from long before the Internet. So, they've just appropriated the word.

Here's a bit more info. Because "philabeg" is the anglicized version of a Gaelic word, it's sometimes spelled "filibeg" (see http:dict.die.net/philabeg/)

Here are a couple of lines from a couple old traditional tunes:

"I got sic flegs Wi' their claymores an' philabegs"

"When the boys in philbegs come marching home..." (the latter is a WW I tune, as far as I know)

So, yes, USA kilts have used it as a play on words, but it's a much older term than that. Very clever of them, though!!

Cheers,

Barb